Take a comfortable seat, prepare cold drinks and snacks and strap in as two of the most in-form African stars gear up for a battle in Amsterdam. It’s Mohammed Kudus’ Ajax against Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s Napoli in the UEFA Champions League!When the UCL draw was made in Switzerland, we looked at the Group A and thought, “that is one filled with tradition”. Liverpool, the six-time European champions, four-time winners Ajax, and Scottish giants Rangers, with a long history of playing in international cups. To complete the group, there is an utterly unpredictable and brimming-with-talent Napoli. Well, after two matchdays, we can say that the group offered plenty of thrills already – and there are more to come.”At the time Everton wanted him, I told him: You’re going to be very important to us. I also told to him to think less in positions, but mainly in possibilities on the field. Having a different type of striker, it’s a great luxury [for our team].”[Schreuder – @VI_nl]#Kudus pic.twitter.com/7qCCot5OHM— weTalk Ajax (@wetalkajax) October 4, 2022 Former Netherlands defender Ruud Krol, who played for Ajax between 1968 and 1980 before joining the Neapolitans for the next four seasons, spoke to Italian newspapers about the game. Now a 73-year-old pensioner, he’s still a keen fan of both clubs and has a lot of respect for Ajax’s 22-year-old Ghanaian star Kudus.”Napoli should keep an eye on Kudus. He is the new Ajax starlet, and he can play as a winger or as a striker without differences. He is being very consistent despite his young age.”A legendary matchday.#UCL #ajanap pic.twitter.com/h4NPEnJUBo— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 4, 2022 It’s no wonder Kudus has been receiving praise from all around. During the last transfer window, he was on the verge of a move to Everton, but it fell through. Instead of pouting and sulking, the Black Star adopted a healthy attitude and decided to do his best for the Dutch champions. His thrilling performance in matchday 1’s win over Rangers makes the continent take notice. He has already scored seven goals and provided an assist in all competitions this season, creating one of the most productive players in Alfred Schreuder’s side.In the Champions League, the Black Star has found the back of the net twice in as many matches, with the last strike coming in the 2-1 loss against Liverpool at Anfield.##NAJAVA_MECA_6696532##Ajax rested some key players at the weekend, but they are now likely to be at full strength for the game in Amsterdam. Kudus, Steven Bergwijn, Steven Berghuis and Edson Alvarez will all start, but Owen Wijndal, Ahmetcan Kaplan and Jorge Sanchez will be unavailable.The Amsterdammers must be on top of their game when group leaders Napoli come to town. Luciano Spalletti’s boys impressively thrashed Liverpool at home and Rangers away – and are currently joint-top in Serie A.The win over Liverpool was imposing. Spalletti masterminded an eye-catching performance, where a double from Piotr Zielinski, alongside goals from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Giovanni Simeone, gave the hosts a thumping victory, despite a Luis Diaz consolation.Cameroon international midfielder Anguissa has been a revelation for the Italian team – but he’s not the only one. Exciting winger Kvicha Kvaratskhelia (have you been practising the pronunciation?) and Nigerian hitman Victor Osimhen have all been on top form. If they manage a win tonight, they will be as good as qualified for the knockout stage.“@AFCAjax is a team with technically gifted players and plays modern football. Ajax also has more experience than we do in #UCL. This is historic ground. It’s fantastic to be able to play here. We will have to be very good to get a result here.”[Luciano Spalletti]#AjaxNapoli pic.twitter.com/LaQO8Zy638— weTalk Ajax (@wetalkajax) October 4, 2022 Ten matches into his second season with Napoli, Zambo Anguissa reveals attacking abilities that he can also show off for Cameroon at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Although he arrived from Fulham as a defensive-minded anchor man, he has since flourished at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. His goalscoring impact has been unexpected but highly impressive.”It’s always important to score. But I just want to do my job. If the goals come, I’m happy. If we win all the games and I don’t score, I don’t care.”It promises to be an entertaining match in Amsterdam, but there will be hot action in the group’s other match when Liverpool host Rangers. The Glasgow team lost both games and will try to pull off an upset at Anfield, where a hostile atmosphere will surely make them feel less than welcome. There is a close bond between Liverpool and Rangers’ hated rivals Celtic – and it will show when the teams run out tonight.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUEGroup stage, matchday 3Tuesday19.45: (1.05) Bayern (14.0) Plzen (35.0)19.45: (2.35) Olympique Marseille (3.35) Sporting (3.30)22.00: (2.35) Ajax (3.50) Napoli (3.15)22.00: (1.18) Liverpool (8.00) Rangers (18.0)22.00: (4.10) Club Brugge (3.50) Atl.Madrid (2.00)22.00: (2.20) Porto (3.50) Leverkusen (3.50)22.00: (5.00) Inter (3.70) Barcelona (1.80)22.00: (3.35) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.50) Tottenham (2.25)Wednesday19.45: (1.75) Salzburg (3.70) Dinamo Zagreb (5.40)19.45: (1.60) RB Leipzig (4.10) Celtic (6.25)22.00: (1.75) Chelsea (3.70) Milan (5.40)22.00: (1.20) Real Madrid (7.75) Shakhtar (16.0)22.00: (1.05) Man.City (14.0) Copenhagen (35.0)22.00: (2.95) Sevilla (3.40) Dortmund (2.55)22.00: (4.90) Benfica (4.00) PSG (1.75)22.00: (1.30) Juventus (6.00) Maccabi Haifa (11.0)***odds are subject to change
